Former Coyotes owner Ellman sought deal between tribe, Glendale

It was an idea that never went far, but former Coyotes owner Steve Ellman said he tried to put together a deal in which the Tohono O’odham Nation would have invested $100 million in the Glendale hockey arena and Westgate City Center.

In exchange, Glendale would have supported the tribe’s plan to build a nearby casino and resort, said Ellman, who developed Westgate.

The city and other Valley tribes have opposed the casino development since it surfaced in 2009.

Ellman explained that the tribe would have paid $10 million annually for 10 years for sponsorship and naming rights at Jobing.com Arena and Westgate. The deal, which surfaced about four years ago, would have restricted retail development for the casino and resort, he said.

“What we did was we brought Glendale an opportunity,” he said. “They chose not to pursue it, and we dropped it.”

Former Glendale mayor Elaine Scruggs said she learned of the deal from city staff and did not know if it had come from Ellman or other sources who were pushing the same idea.

“It would not have been workable under any scenario,” said Scruggs, who left office in December.

Glendale not only opposed a casino but also the creation of a sovereign nation within the city limits, she said.

Ellman said he had several meetings with Ned Norris, Tohono O’odham tribal chairman, and senior tribal staff to discuss the deal with Glendale. “The Indians would have been the white knights,” Ellman said.

Matt Smith, a Tohono O’odham spokesman, denied there had been a deal involving the tribe.

He later provided a statement on behalf of the tribe:

“If there was a proposal of this nature from Mr. Ellman the (Tohono O’odham) Nation did not seriously consider it. The Nation remains focused on working with the local community and continuing its efforts to create thousands of new jobs and economic development in the West Valley.”

Ellman said the deal would have saved Glendale from its financial commitment to the Coyotes. Glendale agreed this summer to spend $15 million annually for 15 years to keep the team at Jobing.com Arena.

Ellman said the deal between the tribe and Glendale “would have allowed me to stay in the team ... and stay in Westgate.”

Ellman lost ownership of the Coyotes in 2006 and Westgate in 2011. He was hoping to regain control of the team and keep Westgate, he said.

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